While in Arequipa I visited both IRID and the Cuna Jardin, Corazon de Jesus. When we visited the Instituto de Rehabilitación Integral para Discapacitados (IRID) we were shown the ongoing improvements at the Centre.

Work continues on the new building for the older residents, with one of the training rooms on the lower level almost finished. Rain damaged part of the ceiling and it needs repair.

Massive improvments in the outside play area are also ongoing – a protective canopy covers the area (Outside of the rainy season the sun in Arequipa is intense and has an extreme UV rating), Plans are for artifical turf in the area, as the ground becomes muddy and the area not useable during the rainy season.

Residents are caring for the flock of sheep IRID now has and once the pens are completed in a few months the Centre will have additional animals: cuy (guinea pigs), ducks, geese and pigs.

The Cuna Jardin, now has almost 100 children from two to five years. A health and safety inspection last November required some upgrades for safety including installing an alarm in case of an earthquake and emergency lighting in case power is cut. As well, new paint which hasn’t flaked in the heavy rains (a common problem in Arequipa, with many schools not able to open at the start of school year in March because of damage from rain).

In discussion with the Director she mentioned that there’s increased insecurityand crime in the area where many of the children’s famlies live.

IRID photos here: https://pbase.com/tracyk/2025_04_04_irid_visit

Cuna Jardin photos here: https://pbase.com/tracyk/2025_03_14_visit_cuna_jardin

Latin Music Night

The turn out at our annual Latin Music Night was small, but we still had a successful event. As always a big thank you to the performers, Jorge Vargas and the Rebeldes Musicales, Mariachi Mundo and Marco Claveria.

Also, thanks to those who came out, donated items to and bought items at the silent auction and a big thanks to volunteers.

Photos here: https://pbase.com/tracyk/2024_10_03_latin_music_night_at_the_yardbird_suite

Save the date – our annual Latin Music Night is Thursday October 3rd at the Yardbird Suite.

Come out for good music, bid on local and Peruvian items at the silent auction and help us support the NGOs working with children and families living in poverty in Arequipa.

As always the marvellous Jorge Vargas and Los Rebeldes Musicales will perform.

More details coming soon.

Thanks to eveyone who bought tickets, came out,donated items to and bought items at the silent auction and those who made general donations. Thanks to all of you the annual SUPC Peruvian fundraising dinner was a success enabling us to support the Arequipa agencies Cuna Jardin, Corazon de Jesus and IRID.

Special thanks to Kipus Authentic Peruvian Cuisine & Catering in Edmonton ( Carla Tamayo Aragon) for her wonderful food and to Marco Claveria for his time and talent in providing the musical entertainment. More photos at: https://pbase.com/tracyk/2024_07_13_supc_dinner

Funds raised go to support the agencies where Norquest social work students did their practicum: IRID (Instituto de Rehabilitación Integral para Discapacitados) and Cuna Jardin Corazon de Jesus. I visit each agency every year while I’m in Arequipa and am able to see first hand how our donations help make a diffeence to both of them.

We’re holding our annual fundraiser dinner July 13th at Parkdale Cromdale Community League Hall,11335 85 Street NW, Edmonton. Doors open at 5:30.

In addition to the Peruvian buffet, we will have a silent auction of local and Peruvian items and entertainment by Marco Claveria

Tickets $50, ages six to ten $15 and under six years Free.

Tickets available with an e-transfer to supcsociety.com.

Hope you see you there.

At the Cuna Jardin with former prcticum student (2016)and current Board member Brandy Austin Berry and volunteer Marnie. Both were in Arequipa for a few weeks and visited the two agencies that SUPC supports theCuna Jardin and IRID.

Photos from the visit: https://pbase.com/…/2024_03_20_vistiit_cuna_jardin…

We visited IRID twice while in Arequipa, the first time in February – see the previous post – the second time in March with former practicum student and current Board member Brandy Berry and volunteer Marnie.

Photos from the visit with Brandy and Marnie. Work continues on the new building for older residents. Eight years since Brandy did her practicum here, so we had a full tour of the grounds and new buildings so she could see the changes. Both also arranged to volunteer at IRID during their time in Arequipa

Description under each photo.

Standing up for Peruvian Children (SUPC) >> 2024_03_25 Visit IRID with Brandy and Marnie

A recent visit to the Cuna Jardin, a like to photos: https://pbase.com/tracyk/2024_01_24_visit_to_cuna_jardin

Our recent visit to the Cuna Jardin, Corazon de Jesus. It’s summer so there are only about 40 children taking arts classes, including dance, and a math class. More children will be attending starting in March. Becasue of security reasons during a fire or earthquake all the doors need to be changed to open outward rather into a room.

I recently visited IRID, link to photos with cutlines: https://pbase.com/tracyk/2024_02_14_visit_to_irid

There are currently 32 residents, asked to accept more, but don’t have the capacity/capability, lack of staff.There are 70 children enrolled in the school.

Applying to be licensed to accept babies, if approved will receive funding to hire staff.

Also applying to the Ministry of Education for approval for 5 trades training programs: electricity, carpentry, water management, baking and dressmaking – two shifts a day AM & PM, if approved they will receive full funding for the program. The classes will be for both high functioning residents and for non- residents who will come in for the training. The first floor of the new residence building will hold two training rooms and in the middle is a two-story chapel, which divides the upstairs into two resident areas: male and female. Currently,working on finishing rooms and bathrooms for older residents and the trades training rooms. The chapel outside is finished – see photo, but the inside still needs completion. 

Animals – still have rabbits, sheep, alpaca and horse and 5 guard geese, costly to keep larger animals so are planting a huge field with alfalfa for feed.

They didn’t receive the expected Christmas donations – usually enough in-kind and monetary donations to provide non-perishable food for the year.

A translation of the poster about services offered and handicaps residents have:

Services: early intervention, sensory stimulation, psychomotor stimulation, speech therapy, behaviour training, physical therapy, daily life activities, classes (support) for families whose children attend the school and psychologist.

Handicaps: intellectual, autism, motor, deaf/mute, blind and multi-handicapped.

Thanks to the wonderful performances by Jorge Vargas and both Los Rebledes Musicales and Mariachi Mundo and by Oscar-Jose Garcia and the True North Community Jazz Ensemble we had another successful Latin Music Night. Fabulous music, great support from those that attended, bought at the silent auction and donated.
Photos at: https://pbase.com/tracyk/2023_10_27_latin_music_night